Article of furniture



Jan. 9, 1934. Hw.` DAVIS ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 24', 195s 2 sheets-sheet l IN V EN TOR. HMA c5 WDA V/s.

Jan. 9, 1934.

H. w. DAvls i 1,942,856

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 24, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR. Homer w Dr/s.

Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES `PATENT OFFICE ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Horace W. Davis, Binghamton, N. Y. Application February 24, 1933. Serial No. 658,349

' 6 Claims. (o1. 45-90) My invention relates to an article of furniture and particularly to desks, tables and the like, for the use of executives and others to whom convenience and appearance is of major importance.

The common type of desk, in use for many years without marked change in style or design, embodies the usual flat top, shallow center drawer and a bank of drawers at each end of the desk, built permanently into the desk, and rendering it a heavy and clumsy piece of furniture of a more or less permanent character.

Also the ordinary desk top necessitates the leaving of mail baskets and other desk equipment such as pen, pencil, ink, blotters, letter openers, ash tray, etc., thereon at all times unless the user is willing to put up with the inconvenience of removing and returning them when it is desired to use the desk as a table, or in leaving the desk top clear after each days work.

In other words, the bulky, heavy desk of common use is just a desk and nothing more and for that reason is not Well adapted for the use of executives who have pride in the appearance of their desk. Particularly is this true in the case of desks for home use, libraries, studies andv the like.

One of the principal objects of my invention lies in the provision of a desk which retains all the useful and functional features of an ordinary desk and which is easily and quickly convertible into a table of attractive usefulness without inconvenience.

Still another object lies in the provision of a desk top provided with foldable trays or baskets which, when in use, rest upon the top in convenient position but which may be folded into the top when not needed.

A further object is to provide in combination with said folding trays, a desk set or implement support which is conveniently arranged in disappearing fashion so that it is selectively available for use or out of sight beneath the table top.

Again, it is an object of this invention to provide units of le drawers for the desk which are independent thereof and movable as units.

away from the desk, thus removing all appearance of the usual desk and leaving an attractive and useful table for whatever purpose desired.

Another object is to provide such independent drawer units with cover means, which when the units are in cooperating relation to the desk, provide extra, slidable Working surfaces for said desk.

A further object lies in the provision of readily separable guiding and connecting means between the drawer units and the desk.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference now being had to the figures of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a desk illus- 65 trating my invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation illustrating the desk with the file drawers removed and the tray receptacles folded'.

Figure 3 is an enlarged View of the upper edge 70 of one of the drawer cabinets illustrating the sliding cover thereof.

Figure 4 is a detail View showing the trays in partially unfolded position.

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on 75 the line 5 5 of Figure 2, and illustrating one mechanical means for operating the folding trays and desk set support.

Figure 6 is a top plan View with the trays folded to closed position.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 7 7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view illustrating a part of the folding mechanism.

It should be understood at the outset that the particular mechanism herein shown and described, is illustrative only, and that although I have applied the invention specifically herein to a desk, the same may find equal applicability and usefulness to other articles of furniture as Well.

In the form shown in the drawings the reference character l refers generally to a desk embodying my invention. 'I'he top 2 is provided preferably centrally and adjacent the rear side with an opening 3 as shown clearly in Figure l. 95 Hinged as at 4 at opposite edges of the opening 3 are the filing trays or baskets 5, so arranged that when in unfolded position they are supported flatly upon the surface of the top 2, as in Figure 1, and when folded they lie within the opening 3 100 with the bottoms of such trays lying flush with the top 2 and forming 'a substantially unbroken continuation thereof. The bottoms of the trays 5 are preferably of the same material and finish as the top 2 whereby when in folded position, as in Fig- 105 ure 6, the top has a uniform appearance.

'I'he top 2 is supported by legs 6 of the desired height and preferably of artistic design rather than of the common, plain desk leg design ordinarily employed. The purpose is to render my which in tire matter of appearance may conform to the various "sty1es and periods", applied to flne tables and the like. The reason for this will be manifest as thedescription proceeds.

The legs 6 may be suitably braced and connected by the pieces 7 adjacent their lower ends.

Directly beneath the top 2 and disposed between the legs 6 are provided preferably a plurality of drawers 8 suitably supported and guided by one or more pieces 9 connecting the legs 6. These drawers 8 also constitute a departure from the usual desk, both in number and in the fact that they may be readily made in various widths for maximum convenience.

It will be noted that the top 2 extends beyond the legs 6 at each end for a substantial distance. In the spaces between the adjacent legs 6 and the edges of the overhang'ing portions of the top I have provided removable file drawer units 10, each having preferably two drawers 11 of convenient size. The casings in which the file drawers are slidable, as well as the front panels of the drawers, are preferably made of the same material as the desk 1 and given the same finish.

These file units may be supported by feet 12 of a suitable height to bring the tops of the units to a plane just below the underside of the top 2. 'Ihe supporting feet 12 may be and preferably are of a non-friction character, making possible the ready assembly or removal of the units 10 as desired.

Slidably mounted on the top of each of the le units 10 is a cover 13 which serves the dual function of a closure for the top of the upper le drawer and, when in operative position with respect to the desk top, a slide providing additional working surface. Such slides are usually built in as a part of the ordinary desk, in the same relative position as shown herein.

It will be noted that there is provided between the drawer units and the adjacent legs 6, a dowel pin and opening connection 10a, thus forming a readily separable guiding and connecting means between the units and desk.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that I have provided a desk, embodying all the usual features of an ordinary desk, plus improvements in design and utility, and which has the added feature of ready convertibility into an attractive table, suitable for drawing room or library, by simply removing the file drawer units 10, and folding the trays 5 into the opening 3.

It will be noted too, that because of the individual character of the le drawer units, they may, when lled with completed les, be placed in a suitable filing room, and replaced at the desk -by others for current files, the completed ones becoming permanent les.

With reference now particularly to Figures 1, and 4 to 8 inclusive, it will be noted that I have also provided in the opening or well 3, a platen support for the usual accessories of a desk such as ink well, pen and pencil set, letter opener, etc.,

and that this platen is adapted for raising orlowering by a suitable mechanical means, in cooperation with the trays 5.

This movable platen is indicated at 14 and fits into the opening 3 with just enough clearance around its edges to permit of its being raised and lowered in such opening. In its lowermost position in the opening 3, the platen 14 rests at two of its opposite edges upon hinged lifting bars l5. These lifting bars are hinged as at 16 to xed improved Adesk an attractive`article-of furniture cross pieces 1'1 suitably supported on the underside of the top 2 as by screws or the like.

Mounted upon and depending from the underside of the top 2 on two opposite sides of the opening 3 are brackets 18 providing bearings for a shaft 19 adapted to turn freely in such bearings. Secured upon the shaft 19 intermediate its ends and beneath the opening 3 are the clamps 20 supporting by one edge an elevator bar 21 extending substantially across the opening 3 and adapted to engage at its ends and by its free edge, both of the lifting bars 15. Obviously therefore, if the `elevator bar 21 is rocked upwardly on its pivot, its

ends simultaneously engage the lifting -bars 15 and cause 4them to rock upwardly, they in turn 9G pushing upward on the platen 14 to raise it within the opening to a position adjacent the upper surface of the top, in useful and convenient po- I sition for the purpose described. If the elevator bar 21 is rocked downwardly from such position, the lifting bars 15 and the platen 14, by their own weight are lowered to their normal lowermost position in the opening 3, supported by the cross pieces 1'7.

Means are provided for conveniently rocking the elevator bar 21 to raise and lower the platen 14. This means comprises an elongated screw, bar 22, threaded for a substantial portion of its length as at 23. The threaded portion of this bar has screw engagement with an internally threaded opening through a block 24 pivotally supported at its ends upon spaced brackets 25 suitably secured to and depending from the underside of the top 2 and forwardly of the opening 3. The forward or outer end of the screw bar 22 projects outwardly to a point within easy reach of a person sitting at the desk and is provided with a hand grip 26 by which said screw bar may be readily rotated.

The inner end of the screw bar is secured to one end of an inverted, substantially V-shaped angle piece 27, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected, as at 28, with the free edge of the elevator bar 21, substantially centrally thereof. 1

Obviously upon rotating the screw bar in one direction it will move inwardly and, through the angle piece 2'7, exert a lifting or pushing force against the free edge of the elevator bar 21, causing the same to rock upwardly with the results previously described. The pivoting of the block 24 and the angle piece 27 permit the screw rod to adjust itself to the changing angle of applied force, thus eliminating any binding action of the parts and rendering this a simple and convement mechanical means for raising and lowering the platen 14. It will be clear, of course, that many other types and forms of lifting means may be employed for this purpose. The one shown and just described is merely illustrative of a simple, inexpensive and eiiicient type.

It will be noted with reference to Figures 5 and 7 that the side flanges of the trays 5, when in folded position, rest upon the platen'14. Consequently when the platen is raised, the trays will be rocked upwardly therewith and, in such raised position may be easily grasped by the hand and completely unfolded on the top 2 as shown in Figure 1. Thus the raising of the platen also starts and greatly facilitates the unfolding of the trays.

In the folded position of the trays, and with the platen in its normal lowered position the trays provide a protecting cover for the desk articles supported on the platen.

1,942,856 Obviously too, the screw type of lifting means holds the platen in any adjusted position.

Of course, changes may be made, as indicated, in details of construction and form without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not limit myself, therefore, to the exact form herein shown and described, other than by the appended claims.

Iclaim:

l. A desk comprising supporting legs and a top, said top'having an opening therein, and a pair of hinged desk trays adapted to be selectively folded into and out of said opening, the bottoms of said trays, when the same are folded into said opening, forming a closure therefor.

2. A desk comprising supportinglegs and a. top, said top having an opening therein, and hinged desk trays adapted to be selectively folded into and out of said opening, the bottoms of said trays, when the same are folded into said opening, forming closures therefor flush with said top.

3. A desk comprising supporting legs and a top, said top having an opening therein, hinged desk trays adapted to be selectively folded into.

and out of said opening, an adjustable supporting platen disposed in said opening, and means for raising and lowering said platen.

4. A desk comprising supporting legs and a top, said top having an opening therein, hinged desk trays adapted to be selectively folded into and out of said opening, said trays, when folded into said opening forming a closure therefor flush with said top, and an adjustable supporting platen in said opening.

5. A desk comprising supporting legs and a top, said top having an opening therein, hinged desk trays adapted to be selectively folded into and out of said opening, said trays, when folded into said opening, forming a closure therefor ush with said top, and an adjustable supporting platen in said opening, and means for raising and lowering said platen, said platen and said trays being so arranged that movement of said platen causes corresponding movement of said trays.

6. A desk comprising supporting legs and a top, said top having an opening therein, hinged desk trays adapted to be selectively folded into and out of said opening, said trays, when folded into said opening, forming a closure therefor ush with said top, an adjustable supporting platen in said opening, and'means for raising and lowering said platen comprising pivoted members on the under side of said top and engageable with said platen, and an actuating means for said members disposed in operating position from the normal seating position at said desk.

HORACE W. DAVIS. 

